Dyeing machine



March 2, 1937.

W. M. WENTZ DYEING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1933 FIG. 5

2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

W/LL/AM M. wf vrz A T TORNE Y March 2, 1937. w. M. WENTZ DYEING MACHINE 'Filed May 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM. M. WEA/TZ IHLAHNG APPAHAIUS.

'atented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dye testing machines and more particularly to a machine to be used for dyeing skeins of yarn and which is especially adapted for use in the comparative testing and standardizing of dyes.

In the comparative testing of dyes, the dyeing is usually done by hand. Uniform skeins of yarn are immersed in the several containers of the dyes to be tested and the skeins are moved up and down in the solutions, all in the same manner as nearly as possible, and all permitted to remain in the solution for the same period of time.

When making comparative dye tests, particularly with vat colors, there are variations caused in the turning of the skeins, regardless of how skilled the operator. Heretofore the testing of dyes on skeins has been accomplished by either hanging the skein on a glass hook and raising up and down at intervals or by turning the skein periodically with two glass rods. By the first method the portion of the skein which rests on the side or bottom of the dye beaker, which is usually heated to a higher temperature than the dye solution within the beaker, is dyed heavier than the rest of the skein, resulting in a spotty dyeing. When dyeing vat colors by this method the fact that the skein is simply raised and lowered brings the uppermost part of the skein in contact with the air more than the lower part of the skein, resulting in an uneven dyeing. By the second method, some of the faults of the first method can be overcome if a very skillful operator turns the skeins in a timed, systematic way. Even with a skilled operator there is always a variation in the exact manipulation from one beaker to the other, due sometimes to tangles which necessitate holding the one skein in the air a little longer than the others in straightening it out, and to the human element ever present in work of this kind.

In the above methods the beakers containing the dye vat or dye bath are held at the desired temperatures by the use of a water bath for vat colors, or a bath containing salts, glycerine, glycol, etc., when boiling temperatures are desired. As these outer baths are not usually circulated, it is necessary to place thermometers in beakers at different sides of the bath to be sure that all of the comparative tests are run at exactly the same temperature. In cases where there is a variation the tests which are at a temperature higher than that prescribed are lifted out of the 55 solution and placed on top of the bath and are allowed to remain there until the temperature drops a degree or so below the prescribed temperature, and then again placed into the bath. This temperature control is especially important in the testing of vat colors, where slight variations in temperature cause corresponding variations in comparative results. These variations are liable to be interpreted as variations in the properties of the samples tested rather than variations in manipulation during the dyeing procedure.

It is an object of my invention to provide a machine on which skeins of yarn may all be subjected to identical treatment in the dye solution, thereby permitting more accurate comparisons of dyes.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a machine which is adaptable to the dyeing of skeins of the various types of fibers, such as cotton, wool, silk, and artificial silks, and which is also adaptable for the use of the various classes of dyes.

A further object is to provide means whereby an absolutely uniform temperature may be maintained in the dye tests without continual movement of the beakers in and out of the liquid bath as described above, which uniform temperature is very essential in comparative dye testing.

A still further object is to provide a machine which will make possible the universal interpretation of dyeing instructions for testing dye stufi's on hanks or skeins of yarn of various fibers, something which has heretofore not been possible, due to the human element which is ever present in manipulating the dyeings by hand, even though very careful rules for the dyeing have been adopted.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification:

Figure l is an isometric view of my novel dyeing machine,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing the position of the parts when the dipping rod is in position to immerse the skein in the dye bath,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the clamping fingers in position to turn the skein,

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the position of the parts when the dipping rod is in its uppermost position,

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical system used to control the apparatus, and

Figures 6 and 7 are detail views of the clamp and holding arm in which it normally pivots.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views, In designates a constant temperature bath in the form of a long covered tank, the top of which is provided with openings H to accommodate beakers or other receptacles |2 which contain the dye solutions. The openings l are made large and rings l3 are provided with openings to fit the beakers of the size desired, whereby different sized beakers can be used. While only three beakers |2 are shown, it is obvious that the bath I9 may be as long or short as necessary to accommodate any number of beakers. The bath or tank I0 is supported by a suitable frame I20 on which the operating mechanism hereinafter described is also supported.

Journaled in bearings |5, supported from the bath I0 is an oscillating rod l6 which carries arms |1 that are securely attached thereto in any suitable manner and extend over the dye receptacles l2. At their outer ends the arms H are provided with swiveled clamps l8 in which glass dipping rods l9 are secured by set screws 20. The glass dipping rods I9 are provided at their lower ends with concentric spaced loops 2| into which endles skeins of yarn 22, which are to be dyed, may be threaded.

So that the skein may be periodically moved through the loops 2|, and all portions thereof subjected to the dye solution alike and also uniformly exposed to the air in case vat dyes are used, clamping fingers 24 and 25 are provided for each dye receptacle. These fingers are secured to rods 26 and 21 respectively, which run the length of the tank ID. The rod 26 is journaled in bearings 28 so that the outer ends of the fingers 24 may be moved up and down, while the rod 21 is slidably mounted in the bearings 29 on the rod 26 so that the fingers 25 may be moved in and out under the glass rods IS.

A shaft 39 journaled in suitable bearings on the framework I20 is rotated by means of a worm gear drive 3| and 32 by the shaft 33, which is in turn driven by means of the belt 34 from the motor 35.

For oscillating the rod l6, a cam follower 39, securely fixed to the rod l6, rides over a cam 40 that is mounted on the shaft 30. To lift the rods l9 to their highest position the shaft I6 is further rotated by means of pins 42 secured to the wheel 44 that is fixed to the shaft 30, which pins periodically during the rotation of the wheel 44 ride over the cam face 45 that is fixed to the end of the rod I6 (see Figure 4) at which time cam follower 39 is lifted free from the cam 40.

For oscillating the rod 26 which carries the fingers 24, a spring is provided which continually urges the fingers down (as in Figures 3 and 4) and a track 5| and lugs 52 on the wheel 44 are arranged to contact the cam 53 to hold the fingers 24 in a raised position (Figure 2) for part of the revolution of the wheel 44, and to intermittently raise the fingers during the remainder of the revolution.

The rod 21 and fingers 25 are reciprocated by means of a spring 56 which continually urges the rod to the right and holds the cam follower 51 against the cam face 56, while the guide 59, cooperating with the roller 60, prevents rotation of the rod 21.

In operation when the motor 35 is running, the wheel 44 rotates counter clockwise, viewed as in Figures 2, 3 and 4. As the cam follower 39 rides into the cutout portion of the cam 40 the dipping rods |9 submerge the skeins in the dye solution. As the wheel continues its rotation the dipping rods are lifted as in Figure 3, and the fingers 25 are moved into the skein under the loops 2|, as the cam follower 51 rides against the cam 58. At the same time the fingers 24 are moved down by the spring 56 as the track 5| on the wheel 44 passes by the cam 53 (see Figure 3). Lug 42 on wheel 44 now contacts with cam 45 to lift the clipping rods |9 to the position shown in Figure 4, while the fingers 24 and 25 clamp the skein. In this manner the skein is moved through the loops 2| on the dipping rods l9. As the wheel 44 con tinues its rotation, lug 52 on wheel 44 contacts with the cam 53 to lift the fingers 24 as the dipping rod again comes to the position shown in Figure 3. Again as the lug 52 passes cam 53, fingers 24 and 25 clamp the skein and the second lug 42, riding over cam 45, lifts the rods |9 to the position shown in Figure 4. There are three such movements to each revolution of the wheel 44, each lift moving the skein about four inches, although the lifts may be made longer or shorter depending on the size and shape of the cams. The three lifts are brought about by the three lugs 42 contacting the cam face 45, and the three releases of the fingers 24 and 25 are effected by the two lugs 52 and the track 5| operating on cam 53 to lift the fingers 24. As the track 5| contacts the cam 53, the rod 21 is again forced to the right by the spring 56 (Figure 1) as the cam 53 permits the follower 51 to move in that direction. The dipping arm |9 then again submerses the skein into the dye bath.

So that the rods I9 may be readily removed from the beakers without stopping the machine in case a skein does become entangled, the arms |1 may be constructed as shown in detail in Figure 6, with the forks notched as at I60, and a slide |6b, which may be moved forward and backward to hold or release the swiveled clamps It. This arrangement also facilitates removal of the rods l9 for changing the skeins.

In the dyeing of certain fibers such as cellulose esters, etc., it is necessary to move them about in the dye solution almost constantly, and when the machine is used for these fibers it is permitted to run continually, while in the dyeing of vat dyes it is desirable to let the skein remain in the dye solution for longer intervals with intermittent movement of skein through the dip ping rods, after the first three minutes or so when it is continually moved in the dye solution.

To permit the use of a single machine for these various types of dyes, an electric control system may be provided so that the operation of the machine will be fully automatic after it is once started.

In Figure 5 is shown one electric circuit which may be used, the mechanical connections for the same being shown in Figure 1.

Two cams 65 and 66, secured to a gear wheel 61, are rotatably mounted on the frame |2 so that the gear 61 meshes with a smaller gear 69 on the main shaft 30 of the dye machine. The cams 65 and 66 operate switches 69 and 10 for opening and closing the electric circuit (more fully illustrated in Figure 5) which in turn operates the magnetic switch in box 12 that controls the motor 35.

With a circuit as illustrated in Figure 5, the machine is made to run continuously by closing switch 13, for in closing switch 13 the magnetic TREATING APPARATUS.

switch 14 is automatically closed and the circuit through the motor 35 is completed.

To cause the machine to run intermittently, thereby permitting the skeins to remain in the dye solution for a fixed time (in this case 3 minutes) between movements of the skein in the solution, switch 15 is closed. On closing switch 15 with cams 65 and 66 in the positions shown in Figure 5, the delayed relay I6 is energized. This switch or relay I6 is constructed so that it closes in three minutes after the circuit is closed by switch 69. When switch I6 closes, the magnetic switch 14 closes and the motor 35 is started. As the machine starts, the cams 65 and 66 are rotated so that switch 69 opens; as 69 opens, the relay 16 opens but switch I0 is now already closed and the circuit through the magnetic switch 14 remains closed until cam 66 again reaches the position shown in Figure 5, when switch 69 closes and switch I0 opens. At this point the circuit is open for the delayed relay I6 is open but it is again being energized, for switch 69 is closed, so that in three minutes the delayed relay 16 again closes and the cycle is again completed. With the earns 65 and 66 rotating, once for every three rotations of the main wheel 44, the machine operates through three complete cycles and then stands for three minutes with the skeins completely submerged in the dye solution.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that other means may be provided for automatically regulating the operation of this machine.

For maintaining the liquid bath in which the beakers or receptacles I2 are placed at a constant temperature, a reservoir I00 is provided for holding a supply of liquid which may be initially heated in any suitable manner, such as by a steam coil IOI and maintained at a predetermined temperature by means of an electric heating unit I02 that is controlled by thermostat I03. The liquid may be circulated through the bath I0 and reservoir I00 by means of a pump I04 (which may be operated by the motor 35 or by any other source of power) and connecting lines I05, I06 and I01. So that the uniformly heated liquid from reservoir I00 will reach each dye bath alike, the pump I04 discharges into a line I08 provided with an opening I09 under each dye receptacle.

By means of this apparatus, absolutely uniform treatment of skeins to be dyed can be efiected, so that comparative dyeings are obtained.

The apparatus is readily adapted for use in dyeing fibers of all kinds, and for the use of any type of dye. While I have stressed the use of this machine for dye testing, it may also be used for commercial dyeing when built on the proper scale to accommodate the larger sized hanks and the beakers may be replaced with one long tank in which all the hanks are dyed.

It is also contemplated that this machine may be used in dyeing strips of fiat goods or any goods which may be formed temporarily into loops for the purpose of dyeing or treating with other solutions, so that in the claims where the term skein is used it is intended to cover hanks of yarn or other endless loops of material which may be manipulated in a like manner.

When small bunches of raw cotton or wool are used for testing dyes, they may be secured to the dipping arm I9 and moved up and down in the dye bath as the machine runs without using the clamping fingers 24 and 25.

It is also obvious that the apparatus is adapted for use in treating skeins or hanks in any liquid treating bath and I do not intend that it is useful only for dyeing.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention I have disclosed herein without departing from the spirit of my invention, and therefore I do not intend to limit my invention other than as required by the state of the existing art and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described in combination with a receptacle for holding a fiber treating solution, an elongated, vertically extending skein holding member mounted to move longitudinally up and down and positioned above said receptacle, said member being provided at its lower end with an eye portion positioned to move into and out of a treating solution in said receptacle, and through which a skein may be threaded, clamping means arranged to periodically engage one side of a skein which may be threaded through said eye portion whereby the skein may be pulled through the eye portion as said holding member moves upwardly beyond said clamping means, said skein holding member and clamping means being operatively connected whereby they may be moved in synchronism.

2. In a machine of the class described in combination with a receptacle for holding a fiber treating solution, an elongated, vertically extending skein holding member mounted to move longitudinally up and down and positioned above said receptacle, said member being provided at its lower end with an eye portion positioned to move into and out of a treating solution in said receptacle, and through which a skein may be threaded, clamping means arranged to periodically engage one side of a skein which may be threaded through said eye portion whereby the skein may be pulled through the eye portion as said holding member moves upwardly beyond said clamping means, said clamping means being arranged to move in and out of the path of travel of said skein holding member, whereby the eye portion of said member may move downwardly beyond said clamping means and into a treating solution contained in said receptacle, said skein holding member and clamping means being operatively connected whereby they may be moved in synchronism.

3. In a machine of the class described in combination with a receptacle for holding a fiber treating solution, an elongated, vertically extending skein holding member mounted to move longitudinally up and down and positioned above said receptacle, said member being provided at its lower end with an eye portion positioned to move into and out of a treating solution in said receptacle and through which a skein may be threaded, clamping means arranged to periodically engage one side of a skein which may be threaded through said eye portion whereby the skein may be pulled through the eye portion as said holding member moves upwardly beyond said clamping means, said clamping means comprising cooperating clamping fingers, at least one of which is arranged to move in and out of the line of travel of said skein holding member, whereby the eye portion of said skein holding member may move downwardly beyond said clamping means and into a treating solution contained in said receptacle, said skein holding member and clamping means being operatively connected whereby they may be moved in synchronism.

4. In a machine of the class described in com bination with a receptacle for holding a fiber treating solution, an elongated, vertically ex tending skein holding member mounted to move longitudinally up and down and positioned above said receptacle, said member being provided at its lower end with an eye portion positioned to move into and out of a treating solution in said receptacle, and through which a skein may be threaded, clamping means arranged to periodically engage one side of a skein. which may be threaded through said eye portion whereby the skein may be pulled through the eye portion as said holding member moves upwardly beyond said clamping means, the eye portion of said skein holding member comprising spiral loops into which an endless skein may be threaded, said skein holding member and clamping means being operatively connected whereby they may be moved in synchronism.

5. In a machine of the class described in combination with a receptacle for holding a fiber treating solution, an elongated, vertically extending skein holding member mounted to move longitudinally up and down and positioned above said receptacle, said member being provided at its lower end with an eye portion positioned to move into and out of a treating solution in said receptacle, and through which a skein may be threaded, clamping means arranged to periodically engage one side of a skein which may be threaded through said eye portion whereby the skein may be pulled through the eye portion as said holding member moves upwardly beyond said clamping means, said clamping means being positioned above said receptacle and comprising a pair of cooperating fingers which move out of the path of travel of the skein holding member as it moves downwardly into said receptacle, said skein holding member and clamping means being operatively connected whereby they may be moved in synchronism.

6. A skein holding member adapted for use in a dyetesting machine comprising a rod member provided at one end with spaced spiral loops laterally extending therefrom through which an endless skein may be threaded.

7. A dyetesting machine comprising a constant temperature bath, a plurality of receptacles suspended in said bath, askein holding member mounted above each of said receptacles provided with a. skein receiving eye portion positioned to move into and out of said receptacle, and through which a skein may be threaded, means for moving said member up and down whereby the eye portion may be moved in and out of said receptacle, clamping means positioned above said receptacle for engaging one side of the skein as the eye portion of the skein holding member is moved thereabove, and driving means for operating all of said holding members and clamping means in synchronism.

8. In a dyetesting machine, the combination of a constant temperature bath, a plurality of receptacles suspended in said bath, a skein holding member having an eye portion adapted to receive a skein mounted to move up and down, above and in each of said receptacles, skein clamping-means arranged above each receptacle comprising a pair of cooperating fingers operatively connected whereby one finger is adapted to move into the skein in the line of travel of the skein holding member when said skein holding member is moved thereabove, the second finger being arranged to move into clamping engagement therewith for holding the skein, while the skein holding member-moves upwardly, and driving means for operating all of said holding members and clamping means in synchronism.

WILLIAM M. WENTZ. 

